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Luol Deng wins NBA Community Service honor

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The first award of the 2014 NBA awards season goes to former Bull Luol Deng.

Deng was named winner of the 2013-14 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award. It is voted on by the 175 members of the Professional Basketball Writers Association, similar to the media group that votes for the NBA post season awards. The honor goes to a player, coach or trainer with a team who demonstrates outstanding service and dedication to the community.

“Lu always has been a person who cared about the people and the community and the world around him and someone who devoted his time and efforts to make the world a better place,” said Bulls GM Gar Forman of Deng.

“It’s an honor to be recognized for any award, but this one is special because it represents who I am as a person and where I came from,” Deng said in a statement on his foundation web site. “What I’m most proud of is that my family can look back after my career is over and realize that I was able to make a difference on and off the basketball court. That is something that tells the true story as to who I am as a person, someone who cares about his community and wants to improve the lives of others.”

Deng through his Luol Deng Foundation uses basketball as a platform to give hope to those in Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States. The work in Africa focuses on building outdoor basketball courts and delivering initiatives to bring together local communities. Two courts, funded by Deng, will open in the summer of 2014 and include 12 hoops and locker rooms as well as basketball gear (shoes, jerseys, equipment). Plans are also in the works to increase the support of schools and renovate and build schools in South Sudan. Deng stands out among athletes for his personal commitment to be on site around the world in his various projects and has been a frequent participant in the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders program and has participated in public service announcements to raise awareness for World Malaria Day. Deng also has funded Thanksgiving and holiday events that provide meals and toys to the underserved and has also served as a mentor to the “Lost Boys of Sudan.”

Deng, a native of South Sudan who emigrated to England, recently recorded a public service announcement for the EnoughProject.org, urging peace during a time of renewed conflict in his native South Sudan. In the video, he tells young people, “Look around you and reach out. Make peace among those who are fighting. Forgive one another and encourage others to forgive. Build trust with people who fear each other. You are young, and if you are wise, you will build bridges with people your age that will last a lifetime. It is not too late to start…but it is not too soon either.”

Deng officially won the award as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers. But he was nominated and became a finalist while still with the Bulls as the award represents his community work during his NBA career. He was traded Jan. 7 after more than nine seasons with the Bulls, ranking in the top five in franchise history in seasons, minutes played, points scored, three-point shots, offensive rebounds and steals. Deng played 23 games for the Bulls this season and led the team in scoring at 19 per game.

“We want to congratulate Lu for being named winner of the 2013-14 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship award,” said Bulls general manager Gar Forman. “Lu always has been a person who cared about the people and the community and the world around him and someone who devoted his time and efforts to make the world a better place. He is truly deserving of this great honor.”

About Sam Smith

Smith covered the Bulls and the NBA for the Chicago Tribune for 25 years. He is the author of the best selling The Jordan Rules, which was top ten on the New York Times Bestseller List for three months. He is also the author of Second Coming: The Strange Odyssey of Michael Jordan and co-author of the Total Basketball Encyclopedia. Smith served as president of the Professional Basketball Writers Association for four terms, a feat no one else has accomplished. He has also served on committees for the NBA and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In 2012, Smith was honored by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame with its Curt Gowdy Media Award.